Protecting Desert Dwellers

Over the past hundred years, human activity has removed much of the rare antelope brush desert habitat in the south Okanagan. The Desert Heritage Centre and Nk’Mip Resort are located on the southern end of the Osoyoos Indian Reserve where development occurred at a slower pace. As a result, much of the remaining antelope brush habitat, and many rare plants and animals remain on the Indian Reserve.

The Osoyoos Indian Band wants to expand their vineyards and development to provide a strong economy for band members. But they are also aware of conservation needs to protect special habitats and wildlife. The Band has participated in many scientific studies involving species at risk.

View from snake dens, photo Owain McKibbin

Tracking snakes with radio telemetry, photo Emily Lomas

Safely moving a snake, photo Anica Burianyk

Western rattlesnake with painted tail, photo Jeff Brown

The desert centre receives Environment Canada support to study Western Rattlesnakes and Great Basin Gopher snakes. Biologists track the snakes using radio telemetry to learn about their habits and use of the surrounding habitats. Large snakes are implanted for one year with radio transmitters so that their daily movements can be tracked.

A population study started in 2003 now includes over 700 individual rattlesnakes. Communal den sites, travel corridors and seasonal habitat requirements for the Western Rattlesnake and Great Basin Gopher Snake are mapped and described so that we can protect critical snake habitat including den sites, travel corridors, egg-laying or rookery sites, and summer foraging areas. A snake barrier fence has been erected to prevent snakes from wandering onto resort roads where they get run over.

The Rattlesnake Research Program is the recipient of the Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia “Power of Education” award.

Adopt a rattler

Do you want to get involved with our snake conservation? “Adopt a Rattler” certificates support our research and make unique gifts (view a sample certificate). You will receive a photo and information about individual snakes in our study

HABITAT LEVEL $25

Supporters at this level will receive:

Adoption certificate with color photo of one snake

TRAIL LEVEL $100

Funding at this level go towards the purchase of pit tags (microchips). All rattlesnakes captured on site receive a pit tag as identification. This pit tag stays with them for life. Supporters at this level will receive:

Adoption Certificate with color photo

Meet with biologist to see a pit tagging (microchip implant) procedure on a live rattlesnake and discuss the research project.

DEN LEVEL $250

Funding will go towards the purchase of one radio transmitters. Supporters will receive:

The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural centre is uniquely positioned to engage and educate local citizens in species recovery efforts. Reptile and amphibian conservation is a focus of our visitor programs and summer research activities. The centre works with surrounding businesses on the Osoyoos Reserve and town of Osoyoos to promote land use practices that benefit species at risk. Each year the desert centre trains Nk’Mip Resort managers and staff on snake management and identification and gives additional outreach workshops to local vineyard crews, campgrounds, and residents who may encounter the five species of snakes living in this area.

Other projects include creating a Great Basin Spadefoot breeding pond, monitoring and removing invasive weeds, and restoring native habitat around the resort.